Rotor protective system



Jan. 12, 1943. M. E. RVEAGAN 2,308,304

ROTOR PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Filed Sept. 26, 1941 7a 5 h v o L g Y 72 L )-T 156 L Stop Start 7 3-3: 7

WITNESSES: Y INVENTOR W Maance l fieayan Patented Jan. 12, 1-943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,308,304 Ro'ron PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Maurice E. Reagan, Pittsburgh, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 26, 1941, Serial No. 412,381

5 Claims. (c1, '172-2s9) condensers, frequency changers, and the like, by

applying reduced starting potential thereto until they have reached substantially synchronous speed and then to apply full running potential. It may happen, however, that the rotor may fail to rotate for one reason or another and in such,

an event the sustained starting current would soondamage the machine if the machine con? tinued to be energized by the starting potential.

It is an object of my invention, therefore, to provide a protective system for use with machines of this type which shall junction to de-v A further object of the invention is to provide a. protective system fora synchronous machine which shall function to start the machine at reduced potential, apply fleld excitation when the desired speed is reached, apply full potential to the machine when the desired speed and power factor conditions are reached, and to deenergizethe machine in the event that it fails to rotate a predetermined amount in a predetermined time after starting power is applied thereto.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, the single figure of which is a diagrammatic view of a starting system for a synchronous machine embodying the principal features of my invention.

In practicing the invention in one form thereof, a synchronous machine 2 may be connected to a source of alternating current power indicated by conductors X, Y and Z through an autotransformer 4 and circuit breakers 8 and 8, which may be referred to as main and starting breakers, respectively. When the starting breaker 8 is closed a pendulum relay I0 is deenergized to maintain the contact element l2 of a timedelay relay II in open circuit position for a predetermined time. A relay I4 is also connected to be energized by the potentials of the source of power and the potential induced in the field winding l6 of the machine 2. As the machine 2 starts to 1'0- tate the relay l4 will be energized each time the potentials acting on it come into the same phase relation and deenergized when the potentials go out of coinciding phase relation.

This alternate energization and deenergization of the relay l4 will cause it tooperate a counting chain of relays comprising relays I8, and 22 which, if they are all energized before the timing relay l3 closes its back contact l2, will again energize the relays l0 and I3 and prevent a relay 24 from operating to open the main breaker 6. If the relays I8, 20 and 22 are not energized by the energization, deenergization, and subsequent reenergiza'tion of the relay I4 before the contact element [2 of the relay l3 closes, the relay 24 will cause the main breaker 6 to open to thereby deenergize the machine 2.

I When the output potential of the exciter 26 for the machine 2 has reached the full value that it is desired to apply to the field winding 16, relays 28 and 30 will operate to apply excitation potential to the machine 2. When the excitation oi the machine 2 has built up to the value to produce the desired power factor, a watt relay 32 will open the starting breaker 8 and close a running-breaker 34 to connect the machine 2 directly to the power source and thus apply full voltage thereto.

Considering the invention more in detail, a starting relay 36 is connected to be' energized upon the actuation of a manual control switch 38 in a circuit which extends from the conductor Y through the conductor 40-, a contact element 42 of the relay 24, a current limiting resistor 44, conductors 46 and 48, the winding of the relay 3B, conductors 50, 52'and 53, the contact element 38,

a conductor 54, a contact element 58 of the relay 28 in back contact position and conductors 5B and 60 to the conductor Z. When the relay 36 is energized, it closes its own holding circuit through its contact element 62, the holding circuit extending from the conductor Y to the conductor 40, the contact element 42, the resistor 44, the conductors 46 and 48, the winding of the relay 36, the conductor 50, the contact element 62, aconductorxfl and the conductor 60 to the conductor Z. i

The actuation of the relay 36 will also close an energizing circuit for the main breaker 6 which extends'from the conductor Y through the conductor 40, a conductor 66, a contact element 68 of the relay 36, conductors l0, l2 and I4, the closing winding of the breaker 6 and conductors 16, 18 and 60 to the conductor Z. I

The actuation of the relay 36 will also close an energizing circuit for the pendulum relay I extending from positive potential indicated by the plus sign through a contact element 60 of the relay 36, a conductor 82, an auxiliary contact element 84 of the circuit breaker 34, concluctors 86,68, 90 and 92, an auxiliary contact element 84 of the starting breaker 6 in back contact position, conductors 66 and 66, and the winding of the pendulum relay I0 to negative potential.

The actuation of the pendulum relay I0 will close an energizing circuit for the timing relay I3 which extends from positive potential through the contact element 60, the conductor 62, the contact element 84, the conductors 66, 66 and 66, a contact element I00 of the pendulum relay II in actuated position, a conductor I02 and the winding of the relay I3 to negative potential.

The closure of the main breaker 6 will cause its auxiliary contact element I04 to close an energizing circuit forthe circuit breaker 6 which extends from the conductor Y through the conduotors 40 and 66, the contact element 66, the conductors 10 and 12, the auxiliary contact element I04, conductors I06 and I06, an auxiliary contact element H0 of the running breaker 64, a conductor II2, the closing winding of the breaker 8, a conductor II4, a contact element II6 of the watt-relay 32 and conductors H6, 66 and 60 to the conductor Z.

The actuation of the main breaker 6 will cause its contact elements I20, I22 and I24 to connect the power conductors X, Y and Z to conductors I26, I28 and I30, respectively. The actuation of the starting breaker 8 will cause its contact elements I32 and I34 to connect the energized conductors I26 and I30 to energize the auto-transformer '6 and its contact elements I66 and I66 to connect the auto-transformer in energizing relation with the synchronous machine 2.

The actuation of the starting breaker 6 will cause its contact element 94 to break the energizing circuit for the pendulum relay I6 and the armature I40 of the pendulum relay III will vibrate to cause its contact element I60 to alternately engage and disengage its associated contact elements to repeatedly energize the timing relay I3 and thus keep its contact element I2 in open circuit position so long as the armature I 40 of the pendulum relay I0 continues to vibrate.

The actuation of the relay 36 will also complete a circuit extending from the conductor Y through the conductors 40 and 66, the contact element 68, the conductors 10 and 12, a conductor I42, a rectifier element I44, the winding of the stepping relay I I in parallel circuit relation with a resistor I46, a conductor I46, a selected portion of a resistor I 50, a conductor I52, an auxiliary contact element I54 of the circuit breaker 34, a conductor I56, a contact element I56 of the relay 36 and conductors 18 and 60 to the conductor Z. The resistor I50 is connected in circuit with the field winding I6 of the synchronous machine 2 in a circuit which extends from one terminal of the field winding I6 through a conductor I60, a contact element I62 of a relay I63 in back contact position, a conductor I64, the resistor [50 and the conductor I52 to the other terminal 01' the field winding I6. The resistor I60 will thus be energized in accordance with the potential induced in the field winding I6 of the synchronous machine 2 and the relay I4 will be energized in accordance with the potential induced in the field winding I6 and the potential from the source taken from the conductors Y and Z. The relay I4 will, therefore, be intermittently energized and deenergized in accordance with the phase relations between the potentials of the source from the conductors Y and Z and the potential induced in the field winding I6 which phase relations will vary in accordance with th speed of rotation of the synchronous machine 2 when starting potential is applied to it.

On the first actuation oi the relay I4, its contact element I66 will close an energizing circuit for the counting relay I6 which extends from positive potential to the contact element 60, the conductor 62, the contact element 64, the conductor 66, the contact element I66, conductors I66 and I16, a contact element I12 or the relay 26 in back contact position, conductor I14 and the winding of the relay I6 to negative potential. The actuation of the counting relay I6 will close an energizing circuit lor the counting relay 20 but this energizing circuit will be shunted by the contact element I66 in a circuit which extends from one terminal of the relay 26 through the conductors 66 and 66, the contact element I66, conductors I66 and I10, the contact element I12 of the relay 26, the conductors I14 and I15, a contact element I16 of the counting relay I6 and a conductor I 16 to the other terminal or the counting relay 20. When the stepping relay I4 is next released, its contact element I66 will move to open circuit position to break the shunting circuit of the counting relay 20 and thereby permit the counting relay 20 to be energized in series circuit relation with the counting relay I6 in a circuit which extends from positive potential through the contact element 60 or the relay 66, the conductor 62, th auxiliary contact element 64 of the running breaker 64, conductors 66 and 66, the winding of the relay 26, the conductor I 16, the contact element I16 oi the counting relay I6, conductors I16 and I14 and the winding of the counting relay I6 to negative potential.

When the stepping relay I4 is next actuated, its contact element I66 will close a circuit for the counting relay 22 which extends irom positive potential through the contact element 60, conductor 62, contact element 64, the conductors 66, the contact element I66, the conductor I66, the contact element I 12 of the counting relay 26 in front contact position, a conductor I66 and the winding of the counting relay 22 to negative potential. when the counting relay 22 is energized, its contact element I62 will close an energizing circuit for the pendulum relay I6 which extends from positive potential through the contact element 60, the conductor 62, the contact element 64, the conductors 66, 66, 66 and 62, the contact element I62, the conductors 66 and 66 and the winding of the pendulum relay I6 to negative potential. The actuation of the counting relay 22 will cause it to close its contact element I63 in its own holding circuit which extends from positive potential through the contact element 66, the conductor 62, the contact element 64, the conductors 66, 66.and 66, the contact element I66, conductors I65 and I66, and the winding of the relay 22 to negative potential. The timing relay will thus remain energized and will maintain the energizing circuit for the pendulum relay I6 and the timing relay I6.

In the event that the timing relay 22 is not energized to again reenergize the pendulum relay I6 before the timing period oi the pendulum relay I6 and the timing relay' I6 has elapsed to permit the contact element I2 to move to cirasoaaoc cuit closing position, the contact element I2 will complete an energizing circuit for the relay 24 which extends from the conductor Y through the conductor 42, the contact element 42 oi the relay 24, the winding of the relay 24,a conductor I24, the auxiliary contact element 24 of the starting breaker 2 in front contact position, a conductor I22, the contact element I2 and the conductor 22 to the conductor Z. The actuation of the relay 24 will permit a manually resettable detent I22 to be moved by a spring I22 to a 3 n and 12, the auxiliary contact element m of the main breakerl, the conductor I22, the auxiliary contact element 222 of the circuit breaker 2, a conductor 222, the winding of the closing coil of the running breaker 24, a conductor 222, the contact element -II 2 oi the relay 22 in the right-hand contact position and conductors 222, 22 and 22 to the conductor Z. The actuation of the running breaker 24 will cause its contact eleposition to lock out the relay ,24 and thus prevent its contact element 42 from moving'to closed circuit position until the relay is manually reset by removal of the detent I22 from the path of travel of the relay armature.

The exciter 22 will build up voltage as it is rotated by the synchronous machine 2 and when its voltage has reached the voltage which it is desired to apply to the field winding I2 for exciting the synchronous machine 2, it will actuate a potential responsive relay 22 which is con nected to respond to the potential of the exciter 22 in a circuit which extends from one terminal 01 the exciter 22 through conductors I22, I24 and I22, the winding of the potential responsive relay 22 and conductors I22 and 222 to the other terminal or the exciter 22. The actuation of the relay 22 will connect the time delayed relay 22 to be actuated by the potential of the exciter 22 c in a circuit which extends from one terminal of the exciter 22 through conductors I22, I24 and I26, the winding otthe relay 22, a conductor 224, the contact element 22 of the relay 22 in front contact position and conductors I22 and 222 to the other terminal of the exciter 22. When the timing relay 22 closes its contact element 222, an energizing circuit for the relay I22 will be completed extending from the conductor Y- through the conductors 42- and 22, the contact element 22, the conductors l2 and 12, a conductor 222, the contact element 222 of the relay 22, conductors 2I2 and 2I2, the windings oi the relay I22 and conductors 2, 22 and to the conductor Z. The actuation of the relay I22 will cause its contact element 2" to close a holding circuit for the relay I22 by connecting the conductor 222 with the conductor 2I2.

The actuation of the relay I22 will disconnect the resistor I22 from the circuit oi the field winding I2 by moving the contact element I22 of the relay I22 to front contact positio and will connect the field winding I2 to'be energized by the exciter 26 in a circuit which extends from one terminal of the exciter 22 through the conductors I92 and I94, the contact element I22 oi the relay I62 in contact position, the conductors 2 I2 and I62, the field winding I2, the conductors I52 and 222, a contact element 224 oi. the relay I62 and the conductor 222 to' the other terminal of the exciter 22.

When the excitation of the synchronous machine 2 has increased sufliciently, the power factor thereof will be changed from lag to lead and the watt relay 22 will move its contact element II2 from the left-hand contact'position to the right-hand contact position. This actuation of the contactelement II2 oi the relay 22 will deenergize' the closing winding of the starting breaker 2 and cause its contact-element 222 to move to closed-circuit position to close an ener-' Iii) gizing circuit for the closing winding of the running breaker 24 which extends from the conductor Y, through conductors 42 and 22, the contact 'element22 oi the relay 22, the conductors ments 224 and 222 to connect the synchronous machine 2 to be energized directly from the conductors X, Y and Z and it will then have normal running voltage applied thereto.

when it is desired to stop the synchronous machine 2 for any reason, a manual control stop switch 222 may be actuated to complete a shunting circuit for the winding of the starting relay 22 which extends from one terminal of the winding of the relay 22 throughconductors 42 and 42, the stop switch 222 and conductors 22, 22 and 22 to the other terminal of the winding of the starting relay 22. The starting relay 22 will thus be released to open the energizing circuit for the closing coils of the circuit breakers 2 and 24 to remove power from the synchronous machine 2. The current limiting resistor 44 is provided to permit the shorting oi the winding of the relay 22 by the stop switch 222 without placing a short circuit between the conductors Y and Z.

In the operation of the' system; when it is desired to start the synchronous machine 2, the start switch 22 will be manually actuated to energize the starting relay 22 which will close its own holding circuit and energize the pendulum relay the pendulum relay I2 and its associated timing relay I2 to cause the countingchain oi relays comprising relays I2, 22 and 22 to reenergize the pendulum relay It, the contact element I2 oi the timing relay I2 will be prevented from moving to closed circuit position. If, however, the synchronous machine 2 fails to rotate or rotates so slowly that the contact element I2 oi the timing relay I2 moves to closed circuit position before the relay 22 reenergizes the pendulum relay I2, the contact element I2 will close the energizing circuit for the relay which will remove power from the synchronous machine 2.

, As the synchronous machine 2 starts and reaches its synchronous speed, its field energizetion will be applied by the potential responsive relay 22 and associated time delay relay 22 and when the excitation of'the machine 2 has inthe running breaker 24 will be closed to apply normal line potential to" the synchronous ma-' chine.

The time delay between the actuation of the potential responsive relay 22 and the connection 01' the field winding I2 to the exclter 22 is provided to ensure that the synchronous machine is rotating at synchronous speed before exciting potential is applied to its field winding.

Thus it will be seen that I have provided a protective system for a synchronous machine which shall function to start the machine at reduced potential, apply field excitation when the desired speed is reached, apply full potential to the machine when the desired speed and power factor conditions are reached, and to deenergize the machine in the event that it fails to rotate a predetermined amount in a predetermined time after starting power is applied thereto.

In compliance with the requirements of the patent statutes, I have shown and described herein a preferred embodiment of my invention. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise construction shown and described, but is capable of modification by one skilled in the art, the embodiment herein shown being merely illustrative of the principle of my invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a protective system for a synchronous machine, means for applying starting power to the machine, means or removing starting power from the machine, timing relay means, means responsive to the means for applying starting power to the machine for starting the timing period of said timing relay means, means actuable by said timing relaymeans at the end of its timing period for actuating said means for removing starting power from the machine, a stepping relay, means responsive to the rotation of the machine for alternately actuating and releasing said stepping relay in accordance with the speed of rotation of the machine, a counting chain of relays, and circuit means responsive to the actuation, release, and subsequent actuation of said stepping relay for causing said counting chain of relays to interrupt the timing period of said timing relay means in the event that said actuation, release, and subsequent actuation of the stepping relay occurs before the end of the timing period of the timing relay means.

2. In a protective system for a synchronous machine, means for applying starting power to the machine, means for removing the starting power from the machine, timing relay means, means responsive to the means for applying starting power to the machine for starting the timing period of said timing relay means, means actuable by said timing relay means at the end of its timing period for actuating said means for removing starting power from the machine, a stepping relay, means connecting the stepping relay to be actuated and released in accordance with the difference between the frequencies of the potential applied to the machine and the potential induced in the field winding of the machine, a counting chain of relays, and circuit means responsive to the actuation, release, and re-actuation of said stepping relay for causing said counting chain of relays to interrupt the timing period of said timing relay means in the event that said actuation, release, and re-actuation of the stepping relay occurs before the end of the timing period of the timing relay means.

3. In a protective system for a synchronous machine, a starting relay, means for momentarily energizing said starting relay, holding circuit means controlled by said starting relay for maintaining energization of the starting relay, means responsive to the actuation of the starting relay for applying starting power to the machine, timing relay means including delayed release relay means, means responsive to the actuation of the starting relay for energizing said timing relay means, means responsive to the means for applying power to the machine for deenergizing the timing relay means, means for removing power from the machine, means actuable by said timing relay means at the end of its timing period for actuating said means for removing starting power irom the machine, a stepping relay, means connecting said stepping relay to be actuated and released in accordance with the difference between the frequencies or the potential applied to the machine and the potential induced in the field winding of the machine, a counting chain of relays, and circuit means responsive to the actuation, release and re-actuation of said stepping relay for causing said counting chain of relays to interrupt the timing period of said timing relay means in the event that said actuation, release, and re-actuation of the stepping relay occurs before the end of the timing period of the timing relay means.

' 4. In a protective system for a synchronous machine, a starting relay, means for momentarily energizing said starting relay, holding circuit means controlled by said starting relay for maintaining energization of the starting relay, means responsive to the actuation of the starting relay for applying starting power to the machine, timing relay means including delayed release relay means, means responsive to the actuation of the starting relay for energizing said timing relay means, means responsive to the means for applying power to the machine for deenergizing the timing relay means, means responsive to the release of the starting relay means for removing power from the machine, means actuable by said timing relay means at the end of its timing period for breaking the holding circuit for said starting relay, a stepping relay, means responsive to the rotation of the machine for alternately actuating and reclosing said stepping relay in accordance with the speed of rotation of the machine, a counting relay chain, and circuit means responsive to the actuation, release, and re-actuation of said stepping relay for causing said counting relay chain to interrupt the timing period 01 said timing relay means by reenergizing said timing relay means in the event that said actuation, release, and re-actuation of the stepping relay occurs before the end of the timing period of the timing relay means.

5. In a protective system for a synchronous machine, a starting relay, means for momentarily energizing said starting relay, holding circuit means controlled by said starting relay, means responsive to the actuation of the starting relay for maintaining energization of the starting relay, startingcircuit breaker for applying starting power to the machine, a running circuit breaker for applying running power to the machine, means responsive to the actuation of the starting relay for energizing said starting circuit breaker and maintaining it energized, timing relay means including delayed release relay means,

means responsive to the actuation of the starting relay for energizing said timing relay means,

' means responsive to the closure of said starting circuit breaker for deenergizing the timing relay means, means responsive to the release of the starting relay means for operating said starting circuit breaker, means actuable by said timing relay means at the end of its timing period for breaking the holding circuit for said starting relay, a stepping relay, means responsive to the rotation of the machine for alternately actuating and releasing said stepping relay in accordance aaoaeoe I with the speed of rotation of the machine. a counting relay chain, circuit means responsive to the actuation, reiease and re-actultlm of said stepping relay for causing said countin: relay chain to interrupt the timing period of 1d timing rela means by reenerzizinz said timing relay means in the event that the ectuetim, re- 

